PHOTO: X

Argentina skipper Lionel Messi and midfielder Leandro Paredes look all set to begin their final stretch of preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the defending champions face Mauritania on Saturday morning in their first of two friendlies before the quadrennial event. They will then take on Zambia on April 1, with both friendlies set to be held at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires. Lionel Scaloni’s side were scheduled to play Spain in the “Finalissima” in Qatar during this international window, but the game was canceled due to the conflict in the Middle East.